Work-related stress can alter brain function

Workplace stress isn’t just a feeling of being overwhelmed – it can actually change the way your brain works. This is one of the interesting conclusions from a new study conducted by a team of Danish researchers who have just published their findings. The study, led by Saga Steinmann Madsen and colleagues, investigates how work-related stress affects the brain in women, and the results give us a deeper insight into the serious consequences that long-term stress can have.

Work-related stress and brain energy

Stress is an inevitable part of life, but when it becomes too much and too persistent, it can lead to serious health problems. The researchers behind this study wanted to find out if work-related stress can affect the brain’s energy expenditure – and if it shows up on a brain scan. To do this, they recruited 11 women who had experienced severe work-related stress and compared their brains to 11 healthy controls.

Using an advanced scanning method called PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scanning, researchers were able to measure how the brain used glucose (the brain’s primary energy source). They found that the women with work-related stress had impaired glucose metabolism in certain areas of the brain, particularly in the prefrontal cortex and precentral gyrus.

• The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that sits in front of the forehead and is central to higher cognitive functions such as decision-making, planning and social behavior. When researchers talk about “decision-making and emotion regulation,” they are referring to the functions that this part of the brain handles.
• The precentral gyrus is an area of the brain that lies just in front of the central cortex and is heavily involved in motor control – our ability to plan and execute movements. When this region is affected, it can lead to problems performing actions in a precise and coordinated manner.

Even in a small exploratory study like this, where brain activity was measured in a “resting state” (a state where the brain is not performing specific tasks), the researchers found small but consistent changes in the brain scans of the stressed women. This indicates that work-related stress can have a real effect on brain function even when the brain is not actively engaged in tasks.

Genetics and stress: What’s the connection?

In addition to examining the brain’s energy expenditure, the researchers also tested whether a particular genetic variation could make some people more or less resistant to stress. They focused on a genetic variation called COMT Val158Met, which has previously been linked to differences in how people handle stress.

• The COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) gene is responsible for the breakdown of dopamine in the brain, a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in motivation, reward and emotion regulation. COMT Val158Met is a genetic variation in which a single amino acid in the protein encoded by the gene is replaced, which can affect how efficiently dopamine is broken down in the brain.

However, the results of the DNA comparison did not show clear results on how this genetic variation affects stress resistance. This suggests that genetics alone do not necessarily determine stress and that other factors also play an important role.

Why is stress prevention so important?

Preventing stress is not only important for an individual’s wellbeing – it’s also crucial for the overall productivity and safety of the workplace. When work-related stress affects the brain, it can impact several key functions that are essential in any work situation. Here are some examples of how the impact on specific areas of the brain can create challenges:

1. Decision making and cognitive functions (Prefrontal cortex)

The prefrontal cortex is crucial for higher cognitive functions such as planning, decision making and problem solving. When stress decreases glucose metabolism in this area, it can lead to slower and less efficient decision-making processes. This can result in:

• Lower productivity: Decisions can take longer to make and the quality of decisions can decrease, which can slow down projects and lead to inefficiencies.
• More mistakes: Under stress, people can be more prone to making mistakes, especially if they have to make quick decisions under pressure.

2. Emotion regulation and social interactions (Prefrontal cortex)

Besides decision-making, the prefrontal cortex also plays an important role in regulating emotions and social interactions. If this area is affected by stress, it can lead to:

• Poor work relationships: Individuals may find it harder to regulate their emotions, which can lead to conflicts with colleagues or an inability to handle stressful situations constructively.
• Increased sick leave: Emotional issues can lead to anxiety, depression or burnout, which can result in increased sick leave and further loss of productivity.

3. Motor control and precision (Precentral gyrus)

The precentral gyrus is critical for motor control, which is needed to perform precise movements and tasks. When stress affects this area, it can result in:

• Increased risk of accidents: Reduced motor control can lead to increased risk of errors and accidents, especially in jobs where precision and quick reaction are important, such as in manufacturing or construction.
• Reduced quality of tasks performed: Even in less physical jobs, reduced motor precision can lead to sloppy task performance, which can result in poorer quality of work.

4. Memory and concentration

Stress can also affect areas of the brain responsible for memory and concentration, such as the hippocampus. This can lead to:

• Difficulty concentrating: Inability to focus can reduce efficiency at work as it becomes difficult to stay on task for long periods of time.
• Difficulty remembering important details: This can lead to errors or the need to rework tasks, which in turn can reduce productivity and increase frustration.

The real cost of stress

When we look at the big picture, it’s clear that workplace stress can have a number of serious consequences. Beyond the direct health problems for the individual, it can lead to:

• Loss of productivity: As mentioned, impaired cognitive function, motor control, memory and concentration can all contribute to inefficiency and increased error rates.
• Increased costs: In addition to direct loss of productivity, work-related stress can also lead to higher costs for the company, including costs for sick leave, compensation and training of new employees.
• Risk of losing skilled employees: Chronic stress can lead to burnout and employees leaving the workplace, which can result in loss of experience and knowledge.

The technology behind the research

An important part of this research is the technologies that were used to achieve these results. In the article, the researchers have elaborated on the use of PET/MR scans and genotype detection.

• PET/MR scans combine two advanced imaging technologies – PET, which measures energy consumption in the brain, and MRI (magnetic resonance), which provides detailed images of brain structures. This combination makes it possible to see both how the brain works and what its structure looks like, providing a deeper understanding of the changes that occur in the brain under stress.
• Genotype detection is used to identify specific genetic variations that may affect how a person copes with stress. Although the results did not show a clear correlation in this case, it is an important method in research aimed at understanding the genetic basis of diseases and disorders.

What does it mean to you?

If you’re experiencing stress at work, it’s important to take it seriously. It’s not just “in your head” – it can actually affect how your brain functions. By understanding the serious consequences of stress, we can take better steps to protect ourselves and those around us.

If you’re a manager or employer, it’s important to be aware of these findings and consider how you can help reduce stress in your workplace. Not only to improve productivity, but also to ensure your employees feel good and stay healthy.

This article is based on research conducted by Saga Steinmann Madsen, Thomas Lund Andersen, Jesper Pihl-Thingvad, Lars Brandt, Birgitte Brinkmann Olsen, Oke Gerke and Poul Videbech.